Newp! Finally got the 1851-O Trime I've Wanted Since I was a Kid!

I think it's fair to say that my want list is a mix coins that have some level of universal popularity/interest, and coins that I just happen to want. This coin falls into the first bucket. Back when I first started collecting (in elementary school), I remember the idea of a three cent silver of any kind being a stretch. After all, a low-grade common date might be 20 bucks, and I didn't have 20 bucks. But in addition to wanting a three cent silver in general, the one issue with the ridiculously large and prominently located mintmark--from a less than common mint, no less!--was one I really wanted. But I wasn't the only one who was intrigued by the funny mintmark, and combined with a small surviving population, it was significantly pricier coin.

Over the years I've picked up some trimes, a circulated example or two for my 7070, and a colorfully toned uncirculated example I got back in college and still love. But the 1851-O has remained elusive. In the last few years I've spent more time looking for one, knowing that an uncirculated example was more than I wanted to spend and a lot of mid to upper circulated examples, when they appear, just aren't that nice. With so few examples coming up for sale and quality being all over the place, putting a price on a coin is also tricky.

This coin popped up on eBay a couple weeks ago, and with some lustre remaining and what appeared to be nice, original surfaces, it was way better than any similarly graded examples that have popped up in a long while. I had a question for the seller which led to a short conversation, and that was followed by an offer he accepted. The package got an extended tour of the Seattle USPS sort, but finally showed up a few days ago. And now I own a coin that I've wanted for around 3/4 of my life.

PCGS AU50, and holdered before the prongs came along to ruin the viewing experience of a small coin.